Telephone support



Feb. 9, 1943. P. c. MooMAw TELEPHONE SUPPORT Filed March 15, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

2A. WK 2 Feb. 9, 1943. P. c. MOOMAW 'I ELEPHO NE SUPPORT Filed March 15, 1940 V 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N VEN TOR.

Patented Feb. 9, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TELEPHONE SUPPORT Paul C. Moomaw, Waynesboro, Pa.

Application March 15, 1940, Serial No. 324,211

3 Claims.

My invention relates to telephone supports, particularly for that type of telephone commonly known as a French phone or a hand set.

It was extremely difficult with desk or wall phones to write, refer to notes, or leaf thru a book during a telephone conversation, because of the necessity of using one hand to hold the receiver. A person who could support such a receiver between his ear and shoulder, leaving both hands free, was considered somewhat of a contortionist. The need for a device to make such a feat possible by the average man is shown by the number of patents granted for more or less practical devices for accomplishing this purpose.

The advent of the hand set phone has again presented this problem for solution. The prior art shows no practical devices applicable to a hand set phone. The devices inall cases are attachments which must be attached to the user as well as to the hand set phone.

An object of my invention is to provide a simple device either in the form of an attachment or as a part of the hand set phone whereby said hand set may be held between the ear of the user and another part of the body in a suitable and comfortable position for both listening and speaking.

A further object of my invention is to provide means whereby the user of a hand set phone may be enabled to hold same in a suitable position for both listening and speaking while having his hands free to make notes or to perform other functions sometimes necessary during a telephone conversation.

A further object is to make said device of such a shape and of such material as to resist any tendency of the hand set phone to slip in any direction.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a hand set phone showing my device in the form of an attachment applied thereto.

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation showing the method of attaching my device to a hand set phone handle.

Figure 3 is an end elevation of a hand set phone showing the position of my device thereon.

Figure 4 shows the method of using my device.

Figure 5 is a sectional elevation showing an optional form of attachment.

Figure 6 is a view of my device ready to be attached to a hand set phone.

Figure 7 is a front elevation of a hand set phone on its holder showing the relative position of my device relative to the parts of said holder.

Figure 8 shows an optional method of applying my device to the handle of a hand set phone. Figure 9 is a partial sectional front elevation of the device shown in Figure 8.

FigurelO is a partial sectional end elevation of the device shown in Figures 8 and 9.

Figure 11 is a front elevation of a hand set phone with my device as an integral part thereof. Figure 12 is an and elevation of Figure 11.

Figure 13-is a partial front elevation showing another optional form of my device.

Figure 14 is a sectional end elevation showin the method of attaching the device of Figure 13.

Figure 15 shows an optional method of attaching my device.

Figure 16 is a sectional end elevation of Figure 15.

My device may be made in two general types.

1. An easily applied or removable attachment. This type. is shown in various forms in Figures 1, 2, 5, 13 and 15.

2. An integral part of the hand set. This type is shown in Figures 8 and 11.

In Figure 1 reference character l0 indicates a hand set type of phone having a receiver H and a transmitter 12 joined by a handle l3. A support member attached thereto consists of a substantially cone shaped portion I5 having a surface l6 for engagement with the shoulder of the user, said surface being roughened so as to resist any tendency to slip when in use. The underside I! of said conical member may also be roughened or formed in a manner to resist slipping on the handle i3. Member I4 may be attached to handle I3 by means of straps l8 and I9 formed integral therewith. Said straps may be joined with hook members 20 and 2| for attaching one to the other to hold support member l4 in position on handle 13. Said support member may then be adjusted lengthwise of or around the handle I3 to suit the user.

My device when used in this form may be adjusted to any position from right to left depending upon whether the user uses his left or right ear, and upon the position which he finds most suitable. My device may also be made in the form shown in Figure 5 having two oppositely positioned projections l5 instead of one.

Instead of the straps l8 and i9 and hooks 20 and 2|, my device may be attached to a hand set phone handle as shown in Figures 15 and 16. In this case a spring clip 30 may be embedded in the member 15 with hook-like portions 3| and 32 holding same securely to handle l3.

Another form of anti-slipping attachment is shown in Figures 13 and 14. This form consists of a strip-like member 36 curved so as to adhere to the body of the user and attached to handle l3 by means of resilient strap members 36 and 31 integral with said strip.

In Figures 11 and 12 is shown a hand set phone with the protruding member 40 moulded into the handle l3; and having a surface 4| formed to resist slipping when in use.

In Figures 8, 9 and 10 is shown another method of attaching my device to a hand set phone. In this case a T slot 50 having an enlarged portion ii at one end is'moulded brmachined in the handle l3. The protruding member 52 has a hole 53 from top to bottom. In said hole is inserted or moulded an internally threaded sleeve 64. A screw 55 has a head 56 which may be inserted in said slot 50. A slot 51 in the end of said screw will receive a screw driver for turning said screw in said sleeve and thus holding member 62 securely in place.

To use my device the receiver portion of a hand set phone is placed against the ear, the

head inclined toward the shoulder, and the shoulder slightly raised so that the projecting member rests firmly thereon so as to resist a tendency to slip in any direction. The selected position must also be such that the transmitter is held reasonably close to the mouth.

I claim:

1. A telephone consisting of a holding member, a receiver at one end thereof, a transmitter at .the other end thereof, a device removably and adjustably attached to said holding member at a point nearer to said receiver than to said transmitter and having a substantially cone-shaped protruding portion adapted to engage the shoulder of the user whereby said telephone may be held between the ear and another portion of the body, and a strap for securing said device to said holding member in any angular position.

2. A handset telephone having a device on the handle thereof comprising a substantially rigid protruding member having a convex anti-slipping surface and adapted to engage the shoulder of the user, said member being attached to the handle of said handset at a point nearer to the receiver than the transmitter whereby said handset may be adapted to be held between the ear and the shoulder of any user.

3. A handset telephone having a device on the handle thereofcomprising a substantially rigid protruding member attached thereto, a strap for securing said device to said handle for angular adjusting thereon, preferably at a point nearer to the receiver than to the transmitter, said device having a convex anti-slipping surface adapted to engage the shoulder of the user whereby said handset may be held between the ear and shoulder of the user.

PAUL C. MOOMAW. 

